Can IgA nephropathy hematuria heal itself?

Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
Updated on May 11, 2025
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Hematuria is the most common clinical manifestation of IgA nephropathy. As IgA nephropathy is a chronic disease and not self-healing, the hematuria associated with it does not resolve on its own and will repeatedly occur or exacerbate. Typically, patients with IgA nephropathy exhibit microscopic hematuria when the condition is stable. However, gross hematuria may appear during physical exertion or respiratory infections, such as pharyngitis. In addition, IgA nephropathy patients also show increased urinary protein and can experience elevated blood pressure. Back pain is also a common clinical manifestation in patients with IgA nephropathy, so there is no need to be overly concerned about the presence of blood in the urine.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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How is IgA nephropathy caused?

IgA nephropathy is a common glomerular disease and a major cause of uremia. However, the exact cause of IgA nephropathy is not very clear. Current research suggests that it is caused by factors such as infections which stimulate the production of autoantibodies, forming immune complexes that deposit in the glomeruli. This leads to inflammation of the glomeruli, eventually stimulating mesangial cell proliferation and accumulation of extracellular matrix, causing glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. IgA nephropathy is a very covert disease, often presenting as asymptomatic hematuria or increased urine protein. Many patients discover this condition incidentally during physical examinations. Some individuals have a history of upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infections before the onset of the disease, followed by the discovery of gross hematuria. IgA nephropathy is more common in children and adolescents.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Causes of hematuria in IgA nephropathy

IGA nephropathy is a type of chronic glomerulonephritis. This disease often causes patients to have blood in their urine, and can also lead to visible blood in the urine. The glomerulus is a cluster of capillaries with semi-permeable functions, allowing water and metabolic waste to pass through while preventing proteins and red blood cells from passing. The waste and water pass through the glomerular filtration barrier and enter into the urine, which is the main component of urine. If some pathological cause damages the capillaries of the glomerulus, such as in the case of IGA nephropathy where there is an inflammatory response within the glomerulus, it can damage the glomerular filtration barrier. As a result, red blood cells may pass through the capillary walls of the glomerulus into the urine, causing blood in the urine.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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How to control IgA nephropathy?

IgA nephropathy is a very common type of glomerular disease in clinical practice and is also a major cause of uremia. Therefore, sufficient attention should be given to IgA nephropathy by patients, and active treatment is required. The treatment of IgA nephropathy usually depends on the clinical manifestations and pathological types of the patient, meaning that the treatment approaches for patients with different clinical manifestations of IgA nephropathy are not exactly the same. For patients who frequently experience gross hematuria, if it is related to tonsil infection, it is recommended that the patient undergo tonsillectomy. For patients with IgA nephropathy who only have microscopic hematuria, there is generally no need for special medication treatment. However, in daily life, regular monitoring of routine urine tests, kidney function, and blood pressure is necessary, and the use of drugs that are toxic to the kidneys should be avoided. For patients with IgA nephropathy who also have significant proteinuria, even nephrotic syndrome, treatment often requires the use of steroids, and even immunosuppressants. For patients with mild to moderate proteinuria, it is recommended to use angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. Only in this way can the condition of IgA nephropathy be controlled.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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IgA kidney disease symptoms

IgA nephropathy is characterized by the deposition of IgA in the glomerular mesangial regions and is a common type of glomerulonephritis. It is also a major cause of uremia. IgA nephropathy typically affects adolescents. Once diagnosed, patients primarily experience recurrent macroscopic hematuria, especially after skin infections or respiratory infections, during which blood in the urine becomes more apparent. Of course, there can also be asymptomatic hematuria and increased urinary protein. Some patients with IgA nephropathy may also experience edema, particularly in the eyelids and facial area upon waking up in the morning, and in severe cases, there may be an increase in blood pressure and a decline in kidney function. It is essential for patients with IgA nephropathy to have regular follow-ups to monitor changes in routine urine tests, kidney function, and blood pressure, and to seek active treatment if the condition worsens.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
50sec home-news-image

Can IgA nephropathy hematuria heal itself?

Hematuria is the most common clinical manifestation of IgA nephropathy. As IgA nephropathy is a chronic disease and not self-healing, the hematuria associated with it does not resolve on its own and will repeatedly occur or exacerbate. Typically, patients with IgA nephropathy exhibit microscopic hematuria when the condition is stable. However, gross hematuria may appear during physical exertion or respiratory infections, such as pharyngitis. In addition, IgA nephropathy patients also show increased urinary protein and can experience elevated blood pressure. Back pain is also a common clinical manifestation in patients with IgA nephropathy, so there is no need to be overly concerned about the presence of blood in the urine.